Device for topping knitted fabric



1940- G. H. DIETRICH EIAL DEVICE FOR TOPPING KNITTED FABRIC Filed Aug. 31, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 CWJQ mm .flrjwld' VerZee/C and Erie/z Efzlssner ,B

e 940. G. H. DIETRICH ETAL 2,223,510

DEVICE FOR TOPPING KNITTED FABRIC Filed Aug. 31, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Dweruzzms GasZnUHerbertDLbtrw Z, .flrzzold Verbeefifarzd Er L'ck ZZissner Patented Dec. 3,1940

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DEVICE FOR TOPPING KNITTED FABRIC Gustav Herbert Dietrich, Meinersdorf in Erzgeburge, Arnold Verbeek, Wuestenbrand, and

Erich Eissner, Heimgarten, Chemnitz, Germany, assignors to Kallo, Inc., New York, N. Y.

Application August 31, 1939, Serial No. 292,760

7 Claims.

The present invention relates to a device for topping knitted fabric, more particularly to a device constructed and operable for the realization of the process or method of topping disclosed in our co-pending application Serial Number 192,970 filed February 28, 1938, of which the present application is a continuation in part.

The device of the present invention is especially adaptable for use in topping heelless combination leg and foot full-fashioned stocking blanks for the transfer thereof onto the needles of a healing machine, operable to knit heel tabs into said blank by knitting the heel tabs as continuations of the leg portion, and to interknit in overlapping relation loops of the foot portion with loops of the heel tabs as the knitting thereof progresses, in the manner described in copending application, Serial Number 99,830 filed September 8, 1936, in the name of Arnold Verbeek.

According to the disclosure of the co-pending application, Serial Number 99,830 aforesaid, the heelless combination leg and foot blank is topped on a specially devised topping bar, including pairs of topping point sections, constructed and arranged for relative swinging movement from a straight line to a parallel position, whereby paralleling partial courses in said blank may be engaged with the paralleling topping point sections and, after severing of the fabric, displaced to a straight line position for placement on a straight transfer bar to be subsequently transferred onto the needles of a heel knitting machine.

The topping of the fabric in the manner above referred to, and described in co-pending application, Serial Number 99,830 hereinbefore identified, has been found diflicult to accomplish for the reason that the paralleling series of loops to be topped on the relatively movable topping point sections are of diiferent types, that is, the series of loops to be topped on one topping point section are needle wale loops, whereas the series of loops to be topped onto the other topping point section are sinker wale loops.

While needle wale loops and sinker wale loops differ in size, needle wale loops being somewhat larger than sinker wale loops, their main diflerentiating characteristic is that they extend in opposite directions. In other words, while the fabric is in normal topping position, the needle wale loops extend upwardly and the sinker wale loops extend downwardly. No serious problem exists in placing the needle wale loops in engagement with their topping points because they extend in an upward direction, so that such needle wale loops may be hung onto their associated topping points, they becoming readily and positively engaged therewith. However, such is not the case with sinker wale loops which, due to the fact that they normally extend in a downward direction, cannot be hung onto their associated topping points, making it extremely difiicult to properly engage the sinker wale loops with their respective topping points.

The invention, therefore, contemplates the provision of a topping device so constructed and operable that the placing of the sinker wale loops, as well as the needle wale loops, in engagement with their respective topping points is equally facilitated, the broad object of the invention being the provision of means permitting the topping of each of the series of loops onto their points in the best possible topping position, that is, with the loops that are to be topped extending upwardly.

It is an important specific object of the present invention to provide a topping device of the construction referred to, particularly constructed for adjustment into two positions, whereby the topping device being adjusted in one of its positions, the loops of the leg section may be engaged with their corresponding topping point sections, said loops extending upwardly, and the topping device being adjusted in the other of its positions, the loops of the foot section may, in turn, be engaged with their corresponding topping sections, with said last mentioned loops also extending upwardly.

Other important objects and advantages of the invention will be in part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter.

In order that the invention and its mode oi operation may be readily understood by those skilled in the art we have, in the accompanying drawings and in the detailed description based thereupon, set out a possible embodiment of the invention.

In these drawings- Figure l is a diagrammatic representation of a portion of a single unit combination leg and foot blank of the type to which this invention pertains;

- Figure 2 diagrammatically illustrates a portion of the blank fabric when topped for transfer to the needles of a flat knitting machine in accordance with this invention;

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic illustration of a portion of the blank showing the knitted construction thereof and its engagement with the points of the special topping bar;

Figure 4 is'a top plan of the special topping bar and associated elements; 5 Figure 5 is a front elevation of the same;

Figure 6 is an enlarged front elevation of a portion of Figure 5, with a section of the topping bar positioned to have its points in superposed paralleling relationship;

Figure 7 is a rear elevation of the topping stand;

Figure 8 is a side elevation, with parts in section, of the improved topping device in one of its operative positions;

Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 8, illustrating the device in the other of its operative positions.

With more particular reference to the drawings, wherein like characters of reference will designate corresponding parts throughout, there is shown in Figure l a stocking blank wherein the leg I and foot 2 are produced in a single continuous operation on an ordinary full-fashioned single unit fiat knitting machine, which first produces a leg fabric with the high heel sections 3, and then as a continuation thereof, the foot fabric including the sole sections 4, said high heel sections and sole sections being reinforced as is customary in the art.

The combination leg and foot blank is adapted to be cut at the points indicated at A (Figures 1 and 3), thus spreading the high heel sections 3 from the sole sections 4 so that the blank may be folded to assume the position illustrated in Figure 2, thereby causing the loops of the last course 5 of each high heel section 3, and the loops of the first course 6 of each sole section 4 to lay in longitudinal alignment so that the same may be placed in engagement with the needles of a 40 straight needle bar of a heeler knitting machine,

in the manner stated in co-pending application,

Serial Number 99,830.

In accordance with the present invention, the

specially constructed topping stand or device, indicated in its entirety for convenience herein by the reference character T, and as more clearly shown in Figures 8 and 9, is suitably afiixed, for instance, by means of bolts l0, upon a plate ll provided with a depending tubular casting I 2 disposed angularly with respect to said plate I l, and adapted to receive an axle l3 keyed, or otherwise secured, to a base plate l4 preferably arranged upon an angular support S so that the topping device T assumes the general and normal position shown in Figure 8.

The base plate I3 is formed with two diametri cally opposed slots I5 disposed for engagement with a spring pressed finger l6 pivoted, as at IT, to a lateral extension I 8 projecting from the cast- 80 ing I2. Because of the mode of mounting the topping device T, it will be appreciated that the same may be rotated about the axle I3 to and from the positions relatively indicated in Figures 8 and 9 and locked in either of said positions by 65 means of the finger It, for the purpose to be hereinafter more specifically described.

As will appear from Figures 4 to 9 inclusive, the specially devised topping stand comprises a topping bar divided into four separate parts, that is, two fixed parts 30 and 30a and two movable parts 3| and 3la. The fixed parts of the bar are secured on a support rail 32 which is carried by the frame 33. The movable parts of the bar are pivotally connected by means of hinges 34 and 7 34a having links 35 and 35a respectively secured to the support rai1'32 in such a manner as to pivot through an arc of 180 degrees so that the rows of topping points P thereon may be brought selectively either above and parallel to the rows of topping points Pl on the fixed part of the bar, or into the same plane therewith.

In order to facilitate the topping of the blank, the points P or the movable parts of the bar are shorter than the points PI of the fixed parts of the bar, and said points P and PI are angularly bent, as will more clearly appear in Figures 8 and 9. The position of the hinges 34 and 34a is adjustable relative to the support rail 32 and the movable parts 3| and 3| a of the bar so. that the distance between the loops of the courses to be engaged thereby may vary. The correct position of the movable parts of the bar when paralleling the fixed parts of the latter is assured by means of adjustably stops 36 and 3611.

Also mounted on the support rail 32 and disposed on both sides of the topping bar are sliding members 31 and 31a provided with knives 38 and 38a adapted to cut the connecting courses I between the topping courses 5 and 6. In order to limit the movement of the knives 38 and 38a during the severing of the topped courses, adjustable stops 39 and 39a are provided on the sliding members 31 and 31a respectively.

The knives may be operated individually by manually sliding the members 31 and 31a, or may be opera-ted simultaneously by providing a suitable connectlon therebetween. The knives may also be adjusted up and down, to correspond to the adjustment of the movable parts of the bar,

for example, by means of set screws 40 and 4011,

or like elements.

For the purpose of transferring the loops from the topping points to the needles of a heeler machine, an ordinary Well known transfer bar is inserted in corresponding recesses 4| (Figures 8 and 9) of special receiving arms 42 which are connected to a shaft 43 rotatably mounted in bearings 44 secured upon the frame 33 so that said arms may be swung for bringing the transfer bar into operative position. In order to permit the adjustment of the points of the transfer bar in correct position relative to the topping points, the receiving arms 42 are provided with adjustable stop pins 45 preferably disposed to bear on the support rail 38.

The loops on the topping points P and PI are transferred onto the points of the transfer bar with the aid of a movable strip comb 46 located in its inoperative position below the topping bar in order to allow the free topping of the blank and to render possible the pivotal movement, of the movable parts of the topping bar.

The necessary movement for the stripping of the loops is preferably imparted to the stripper comb 48 by means of a link mechanism connected to the frame 33 and actuated by hand. The link mechanism, as shown in Figures 7, 8, and 9 consists of a bell crank lever 41 mounted on the pivot 48, this pivot being located on a lever arm 49 which may be moved about an axis 5| by means of the handle 50. In order to assure the correct guiding of the bell crank lever 41, the free end thereof is connected to a link 52 mounted on the shaft 53 rotatable in the frame 33.

In using the improved topping device, the combination leg and foot blank made in one operation on any suitable well known fiat knitting machine, is topped in the following manner:

The topping device being in the position represented in Figure 8, that is, with the movable top ping point sections 3| and 3la overlaying and paralleling the fixed topping point sections 30 and 30a, and the topping points PI being closest to the operator, the stocking blank is held so that the leg portion thereof drops downwardly which places the needle loops in position to extend upwardly. The loops of the last course 5 of the high heel sections 3 are then topped or hung upon the projecting portions of the points PI of the fixed sections of the topping bar. Thereafter, the topping device is rotated to the position illustrated in Figure 9, which reverses the position of the topping points and of the fabric loops in relation to the operator so that the topping points P lie closest to the operator and the sinker loops extend upwardly.

Thereupon, the loops of the first course 6 of the sole sections 4, which loops are sinker loops, are topped or hung onto the points P of the movable parts of the topping bar.

The topping device is then once more rotated to the position indicated in Figure 8 and the fabric blank is straightened out so as to assure the proper engagement of the loops upon the points of the topping bar section. The courses I may then be out along the lines A by means of knives 38 and 38a, whereupon the topping bar sections 3| and Ma are pivoted from the paralleling position to a straight line relationship so that the fabric may be transferred to a straight transfer bar for engagement with the bank of needles of a heel knitting machine in the particular manner set forth in co-pending application, Serial Numbei 99,830, aforesaid.

It is, of course, to be understood that the construction herein shown and described is capable of several modifications and those modifications coming within the scope of the subjoined claims are to be considered within the spirit of the invention.

What we claim is:

1. A topping device of the character described comprising a straight topping bar consisting of two outer topping point carrying parts fixedly supported on said device, and two inner topping point carrying parts swingably movable in relation to said outer parts whereby said inner parts may be swung to bring the topping points thereof in superposed paralleling relation to the topping points of the outer parts, a support for said device having means for the rotation of the same to place the topping points into two positions relative to the operator, and means for locking the device in either of its positions.

2. A topping device of the character described comprising a support member, a straight topping bar consisting of two outer topping point carrying parts fixedly mounted upon said member, and two inner topping point carrying parts swingably movable in relation to said outer parts whereby said inner parts may be swung to bring the topping points thereof in superposed paralleling relation to the topping points of the outer parts,

knife carrying elements slidable on the support member and arranged on both sides of the topping bar to move between the topping points of said parts when positioned in superposed paralieling relationship, a support for said device having means for the rotation of the same to place the topping points into two positions relative to the operator, and means for locking the device in either of its positions.

3. In a topping stand, a topping bar comprising two topping point sections, each having a series of topping points, pivotal supporting means for said sections constructed and arranged to permit relative swinging movements of said sections from a straight line to a parallel position, a transfer bar having transfer points and supporting means for the same, loop transfer means comprising a comb movable to force fabric held on the topping points onto the points of the transfer bar, a support for said stand having means for the rotation of the same to place the topping points into two positions relative to the operator, and means for locking the device in either of its positions.

4. In a topping stand, a topping bar comprising two topping point sections each having a series of topping points, the free ends of the points of one of said sections extending beyond the free ends of the points of the other of said sections when the sections are in topping position, means for supporting said sections in parallel topping position for topping separated courses of a knitted fabric thereon, a support for said stand having means for the rotation of the same to place the topping points into two positions relative to the operator, and means for locking the device in either of its positions.

5. In a topping stand of the character described, a support therefor having means for the rotation of the topping stand bodily for the adjustment thereof into two positions relative to the operator for the topping thereon of loops normally directed in opposite directions.

6. In a topping stand of the character described, a support therefor having means for the rotation of the topping stand bodily for the ad- Justment thereof into two positions relative to the operator for the topping thereon of loops normally directed in opposite directions, and means for locking the topping stand in either of its positions.

7. A topping stand provided with topping. bar sections relatively movable for the placement of the topping points thereof into paralleling super- .posed relationship, a support for said topping stand having means for the rotation of the latter to place the topping points into two positions relative to the operator, and means for locking the topping stand in either of its adjusting positions. v

GUSTAV HERBERT DIETRICH. ARNOLD VERBEEK.- ERICH EISSNER. 

